How To Make a Mini Truck Tilt Bed

This guide has been generously donated by Scott B, aka Diecast Kustomz by Scott. He first shared this awesome how-to guide over on the My Custom Hotwheels Facebook group – and for anyone reading this who is not already a member be sure to rectify that fact by clicking THIS LINK HERE and introducing yourself 🙂

OK now that I have got my marketing spiel out of the way I’ll let Scott take the floor…

Tilt Beds and Mini Trucks

The tilt bed craze has been around just about as long as custom trucks have been. It started after the custom van era of the 60’s & 70’s and continues today. Although not as popular, it is making a comeback. Mostly seen on mini trucks. Usually tilt bed refers to a side tilt movement. Dump bed refers to rear dump movement. Dancing bed is when a bed goes up and down in all different directions.

How To Make a Custom Tilt Bed for Hot Wheels

Yep, We’re totally gonna learn how to make this! … I know, EPIC

Hey everybody. Here is a quick write up on how I do the tilt beds on my trucks. This is what to do after you have picked a casting, drilled out the rivets, taken it all apart, and cut the bed off. (Not sure how to do any or all of that? – Follow THIS LINK to have all your questions answered (Link will open in a new window)

Once you have done all of the above and are ready to go you will need either a tonneau cover or a camper shell. Your choice. In the example you see on the Datsun 620 to the left I made a tonneau cover out of a piece of black styrene, cut to fit and epoxied in place.

Parts (& Steps) to Make a Tilting, Dancing or Dumping Bed

Start with 3/32 tube cut to length required by measuring against the base or chassis of your chosen casting.

Straighten out paper clip and slide on tube.

Bend paper clip in a “C” and trim to fit second tube and install.

Mock up with a square with rollers on each side. (Again use the casting itself to make sure you get the width just right)

Now that we have created our hinging mechanism we need to attach it to the mini truck or whatever chassis we have chosen to tilt. First place a really small drop of superglue on the underside of the tonneau as shown

Now place your hinge mechanism carefully onto the spot and quickly get it straight before the glue sets.

Leave the bed upside down and allow the glue to fully set (give it at least 20 minutes) before moving on to the next step… which is to place another tiny drop of superglue onto the chassis floor itself. *MAKE SURE YOU GLUE THE CORRECT SIDE OR NO TILTING BED FOR YOU!

When the bed is sitting how you want flip the entire HW over and let the hinge fall onto the dab of super glue. Hold in place till dry.

After that you should be able to pick up the bed and tilt to the side.

Once you are happy with the movement and fit break the joint of the super glue, scrape away the glue reside and also rough up the surface.Following the last few steps but instead of using superglue I use a two part epoxy for more strength.

Good luck to all. Any questions post them up. I’ll be happy to answer any questions.

Thanks again for sharing your experience, skills and passion with us all mate, it was an honor and a pleasure. And to everyone reading I encourage you to give Scott a like and a follow over on Facebook and Instagram where you can be assured of more tips and general custom diecast badassery.

But Wait, There’s More!

Since Scott was so generous with his time, and in keeping with the whole mini truck and tilting bed theme I thought it best that we conclude today’s kick ass guide with some even more kick ass customs – Diecast Kuztomz by Scott that is 😉